AN: For all those of you who have been waiting patiently, the sequal is finally here! If you haven't read the first one, you should probably go do that, or it is going to be very hard for you to read. I decided to post it today as my birthday gift to all of you who stuck with me to the end of the first one. I wanted to be able to post the next chapter sometime next week, but I'm gonna be at camp, so you guys are just going to have to wait until then. As always, I like hearing what you guys have to say, so let me know. All comments are most welcome. Now, on to the story!

The Bodyguard 2: The Demon Behind the Angel

Chapter 1

"Okay, Tony, three…two…one…jump."

As soon as he had the all clear, Tony jumped from the cargo plane and raced towards the ground, jets at full blast.

"Hey, Tony, while you're up there, try not to-" The voice was cut off by the loud clunk of fireworks exploding against his chest plate.

"Sorry, JC. What were you saying?" he asked.

"Try not to hit all the pyrotechnics on your way down would ya? The public doesn't want to see scratches all over the shiny red," she teased from her microphone on the ground.

"Don't worry. I'll be there soon enough," he said as he neared the target. Moments later he landed in a crouch, a loud clang resounding as the crowd went wild and sparks flew. Now it was show time. He pulled out all the stops giving the crowd a show to remember. With a little flare he stepped into the assembly line that had been set up beneath the stage and let it remove his armor to reveal that charming smile and a three piece suit. It hadn't been comfortable while in the armor, but it had made for a better show for the crowd.

"Oh, it's good to be back," he said as he motioned for the crowd to settle down so he could give his opening speech. Several stray shouts of glee from giddy women sounded while another man from the crowd suggested that he blow something up. Tony brushed it off with a joke that he'd already done that.

The crowd quelled its noise a bit more and let the great Tony Stark speak.

"Now, I'm not saying the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years, because of me," he said none too modestly.

The crowd kept their cheered, but kept it down as they eagerly awaited what else was to come.

"I'm not say that from the ashes of captivity, never has there been a phoenix metaphor better personified in human history!"

The crowd cheered again even more loudly.

"I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can sit back on a lawn chair sipping an ice tea, because no one is man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day!" he exulted, reaching his climax.

Tony drank in the crowds cheers for another moment before waving them to bring it down again.

"Please. No, please. It's not about me," he called. "Or you. It's not about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that is why, for the next year, and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision to leave behind a brighter future."

The crowd went wild as they knew the grand finale was nearing.

"It's not about us. Therefore, what I am saying, if I'm saying anything..." Stark built to the finish, "is, welcome back... To The Stark Expo."

The crowd exploded again.

Tony let them cheer, let the crowd feed it's own cry, until finally, he signaled the FX department. "And now, from beyond the grave, to tell you what it's all about, my Dad, Howard Stark."

Tony bowed and the lights dropped down to nothing, as the huge movie screen behind him came to life, and started playing the promotional film from the 1974 Expo.

He stepped back behind the stage and met up with JC.

"Nice opening," she said with a grin. "A bit flashy, but it's you."

"Thanks, JC. Do you have the meter?" he asked, the irritation in his chest he had felt before the flight becoming more bothersome.

"Yeah, here," she replied, handing him the small device that originally was used for testing insulin levels in diabetics. "Are you okay?" she asked, worry etching on her brow.

"Yeah, it's nothing. Just a bit stuffy in the armor with the suit on," he said as he pricked his thumb on the tester.

Within seconds the read out said: Blood Toxicity: 8%

"It's kicking in again, isn't it?" JC said. She knew what was going on since she too had to deal with the same problem.

"Looks like it," he responded.

"Maybe you should call it a night then. You're looking a bit pale already," she said as she gathered up the tester and stored it away.

"No, I'm gonna finish this opening first. I've made it this far tonight, haven't I?" he said with that charming grin of his.

She looked back him skeptically before shaking her head at him. "What am I going to do with you?" she questioned as she straitened his bow tie.

"Keep me, I suppose. Isn't that what you always do?" he said and gave her a quick peck on the cheek as the film came to an end and headed back out. The rest of the opening passed by in a blur as Tony tried to ignore the irritation he felt in his chest. When he was finally allowed to change out of the suit into more comfortable clothing, Tony felt more than ready to finally go home.

He pushed through the mob, JC and Happy at the front keeping the worst og the fans away while he signed several pictures from girls and kids and did his best to keep the numerous slips of paper with phone numbers from making their way down the front of his shirt. He had managed to keep his relationship with JC a secret from the Press, but he still didn't want to upset her with over a dozen numbers from girls. JC had said she didn't mind for the sake of trying to keep appearances in public, but he knew her better than that.

When they had finally made it to his car, an attractive brunette was leaning against the front door. Tony tried not to pay her much attention as he told Happy that he would drive home.

"And you are?" Tony asked, trying to keep his tone light even though he really had no desire to deal with more flirty women.

"Marshal," she answered with a half innocent smile. Tony snuck a look over to JC as he took his spot in the driver seat and noticed she had that look in her eye, the pleasant I'm-going-to-kill-you-if-you-don't-walk-away-right-now look.

"Irish, huh? Where you from?"

"Bedford."

Tony grinned, trying to stay in character. "So, Marshal, what are you doing later?"

There was a change in her smile and Tony knew something was coming. "Delivering subpoenas," she answered and held out the envelope in question.

"Ouch," Happy commented as JC smirked her agreement. Now his evening had gone from irritating to downright awful.

"I don't like people handing me things," he said flatly.

"I'll take that," JC said as she took the letter and opened it.

"You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9AM."

"You got a badge?" Tony quipped.

"He likes to see the badge," JC joined in.

The blonde pulled out a silver star Marshal badge. "Still like it?" she said with more than a little bite.

"How far away is Washington D.C.?" he asked Happy.

"About 250 miles," he answered.

"Hm," Tony mused.

"Keep to the speed limit, Mr. Stark, and, Happy, make sure he shows up on time with his pants on," JC said as she handed the letter to Happy.

"I will do my best, but you know how insistent he can be sometimes," Happy teased.

"Yeah, I know, but the Senate is kind of a big deal. I think it would be better if he was at least decent," she quipped.

"Ha ha ha," Tony said sarcastically. "You two are just so funny. You going down with Pepper then?" he asked JC.

"I figure Hogan can handle security while you're in court. I've got conferences all day tomorrow, so try not to do anything too stupid, because it will be on TV, and I will know about it," she said with her mischievous smirk. "Now, go, if you're going to be there on time."

"Just out of wild curiosity, when did you become the boss and me the employee?" Tony teased.

"Drive away, Mr. Stark, before I embarrass you in front of thousands of people," she said with her arms crossed over her chest.

He proceeded to stick his tongue out at her like a five year old before speeding off toward D.C. He wasn't really looking forward to the hearings, and it made him more uncomfortable knowing that JC wasn't going to be there. He figured the crowds couldn't be any worse than they usually were, but one could never be too careful now that the big secret was out.

AN: I know this one was short, but I promise the next couple will be longer to make up for it. And I'm sure not everything in here isn't exactly how it is in the movie. I don't exactly have any other refrences for it, so oh well for any errors. Don't forget to review. They always make my world go round ^-^